How Will Social Security Reform Impact

People With Severe and Profound Mental Retardation?

Voice of the Retarded, a national advocacy organization speaking on behalf of individuals with mental retardation, is concerned about the impact that the President’s proposed revisions to the Social Security program will have on the lives of people with disabilities.

Although President Bush has said that Social Security reform will not affect people with disabilities, the absence of a specific legislative proposal leaves us gravely concerned about unintended consequences.

We are particularly concerned about the potential impact of personal accounts.  All three models proposed by President Bush’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security involve the use of personal accounts to provide future insurance for participants. While we appreciate support for personal responsibility, we recognize that one person’s choice to be accountable for his/her future “social security” could, under Social Security Survivors Insurance, potentially divert funds from another individual who is totally incapable of financially securing his/her own future.

Most people with severe and profound mental retardation were born with their disabilities. Many of these individuals also experience physical disabilities, complex medical conditions and/or severe behavioral challenges. They need assistance in every aspect of care, including walking, talking, toileting, dressing, transportation, recreation, and therapies. Any reductions in the benefits they receive could seriously harm their care and may cost lives.

We seek answers to the following questions:

How will the two disability programs – SSI and SSDI – be affected by reform proposals?

What will happen to disability benefits under Survivor’s Insurance for people whose parents select any personal savings plan option?

To answer these and other questions relating to the impact on persons with disabilities, VOR joins the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities and other advocates in strongly urging Congress to request a Beneficiary Impact Statement from the Social Security Administration on every major reform proposal.

Thank you for carefully deliberating this complex issue.

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Some Facts about Social Security and People with Disabilities

ü          Social Security benefits over 7 million people with disabilities, their spouses and children.

ü          People with disabilities and their families receive benefits from all three Social Security programs; some qualify for more than one program. “Disabled Adult Children” are especially at risk if there are major changes in the program because they may receive one or more types of Social Security benefits for many years.

ü          All three programs use the same benefit formula so changes in one may affect them all.

Types of Programs

ü             Supplemental Security Income (SSI): People under age 65 who are disabled but did not work long enough to pay into the Reserve Fund.

ü             Social Security Survivors Insurance: People born with disabilities who receive payments based on the earnings of their parents.

ü             Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):  People under age 65 who worked long enough to pay into the Reserve Fund and then became disabled.

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-253-0675 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com